unbidden

A guest arrived unbidden at the family's dinner party.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not invited or requested: "unbidden" describes something that occurs or appears without being asked, invited, or summoned.
   • Spontaneous or voluntary: It can also refer to actions or thoughts that arise naturally, without external prompting or command.

Usage Examples

• (A person who came without being invited.)
• (Tears that came without her willing them to.)
• (The memory came spontaneously, without being called up.)

Advanced Usage

• "Unbidden and unwelcome": a phrase used to emphasize that something is both unsolicited and undesirable.

  • The unbidden and unwelcome advice from a stranger annoyed her. (The advice was not asked for and was irritating.)

• "come unbidden": to arrive or occur without being summoned.

  • Thoughts of the past often come unbidden during quiet moments. (They arise without conscious effort.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unbiddenly (adv): in an unbidden manner (rarely used).

  • He unbiddenly offered his help. (He offered help without being asked.)

• Bid (v): to command or invite (the root word).

  • She bid him enter. (She commanded or invited him to come in.)

Synonyms

• Uninvited: not asked to attend or participate.

  • An uninvited guest can disrupt the evening. (Similar to unbidden, but often used for people.)

• Unsolicited: given or done without being asked or requested.

  • Unsolicited advice is rarely welcome. (Emphasizes lack of request, often for opinions or offers.)

• Spontaneous: arising naturally without external cause.

  • Spontaneous applause erupted after the speech. (Natural and unplanned, like unbidden.)

Related Idioms

• Out of the blue: unexpectedly, without warning.

  • The offer came out of the blue. (Similar to unbidden, meaning it was not expected or requested.)

• Without being asked: directly equivalent to "unbidden".

  • He helped without being asked. (He acted unbidden.)